What's Happening
At Educational Services, January 8 - 12 , 2023
Celebrations
Shout Out
"Our Work Matters" Bulletin Board
Check it out and contribute - recognize and celebrate the achievements of our team. If you don't come into the office very often, just send me your contribution by email for inclusion here.
Your work matters - let's showcase it!
This week we want to recognize...
As we return to school and say hello to 2024, we are sending a shout out to everyone who will be welcoming students back to classrooms, schools and learning. Some of them will return excitedly, some tentatively and still others will be reluctant or resistant to the change in routine. Thank you for the providing a warm reception and supporting them all.
Your work and your contributions really do matter!
LDSB and Community News
Student Trustee Applications due February 5th, 2024
The Limestone District School Board has established three positions for Student Trustees to provide for the interests of students within its school system. One Student Trustee is elected to represent urban, one Student Trustee is elected to represent rural schools, and one Student Trustee is elected to represent Indigenous students to ensure accurate representation for all secondary students in the board.
Applications for the 2024-2025 school year open Wednesday, December 20, 2023. Submissions must be received by 9:00 a.m. on February 5, 2024.
https://bit.ly/AppForm2024_2025
Inclusive Playground Fundraiser
Sharing the information below from our friends at The Inclusive Play Project https://inclusiveplayproject.com/ who continue to with their fundraising efforts towards the building of an inclusive playground in Kingston. If you are interested in purchasing a t-shirt, see information below.
Notable or Significant Dates
Questions for Reflection on Dates of Significance
- How are identities and cultures framed by society?
- Why are certain identities and cultures targeted and marginalized?
- What have I been taught about cultures that are different from mine?
- How do I interact with people who have different cultural heritages from mine?
- What responsibility do I have to learn about cultural heritages that are different from mine?
- How can I challenge the status quo and become a change agent of equity and empowerment?
2024 Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion (CCDI) Diversity Calendar
Check out the 2024 CCEI Diversity Calendar. Click here to see the full calendar on the CCDI website or view/download the PDF file below.
January 14th is the Orthodox New Year
The Orthodox New Year is widely known as the Old New Year. The Orthodox church bases this date on the Julian calendar. The Julian (Eastern) calendar is currently 13 days behind the Gregorian (Western) calendar.
Events and Opportunities
Neuro-Vibes Neurodiversity Affirming Event
Mark your calendars and stay tuned for more information in coming weeks.
When: January 25th, 5:30 p.m.
Where: Queens' University Faculty of Education Library
Who is Invited: Families and Caregivers, Students, Teachers, Pre-Service Teachers, Administrators and Community Partners
Trauma-Informed Leadership with Dr. David Tranter – FREE voluntary learning opportunity
This voluntary six-session series will focus on the critical elements of leading a trauma-sensitive approach, with each session including strategies to support students, as well as strategies to support yourself and your colleagues. If you cannot make the live session(s), you will receive a link to the recording within 24-hours of each live event and have until Fall 2024 to complete viewing.
Please follow the steps below to gain access to the webinar series.
- Go to the professional learning webinar page: https://webinars.nelson.com/series/trauma-informed-leadership/series_summit
- Click REGISTER NOW
- Input your information (please use a district-issued email address) & click REGISTER
- Click ENTER A COUPON CODE, enter your code, and click APPLY (Total payment should read, C$0.00)
- Coupon Code: Tranter-LIMESTONE
- Click REGISTER. You will receive email notifications ahead of each live webinar and can view the on-demand recording the following day.
Educational Services Equity Committee - Come Learn With Us
The Educational Services Equity Committee would love for anyone who is interested to join them for a YouthREX 6 part Professional Learning Series on Anti-Oppressive practices. The next meeting and shared learning experience will be held on February 14th at 2:30. Reach out to Mike if you are interested in joining or would like more information, or just arrive.
These topics will be explored:
- Islamophobia (23 mins) facilitated by Hatice Celik
- Supporting LGBTQ+ Youth facilitated by Leo D. Edwards, Clinical Therapist, Rainbow Diversity Institute (31 mins)
- Indigenous Perspectives (23 mins) facilitated by Ruth Koleszar-Green
Everyone is welcome!
The Rick Hansen Foundation: Educator Inclusion and Accessibility E-Learning Course
Act fast to access one of the available free spaces in a self-guided 4 hour Educator Inclusion and Accessibility E-Learning Course that is available only to Ontario Educators:
By taking this course, educators will be better equipped to create more inclusive learning environments by:
- Understanding the diversity of experience within the physical disability community and the impact of accessibility and inclusion for youth with disabilities;
- Learning about the use of inclusive language and best practices in communication;
- Recognizing and reducing physical and attitudinal barriers to accessibility found in educational and community settings; and
- Exploring equitable practices, advocacy, and allyship along with accommodations to increase meaningful accessibility and inclusion for students.
The Rick Hansen Foundation: Book an Ambassador Presentation
By inviting an individual with a disability, to speak about living a full life, students gain new insights. With a diversity of vision, hearing and mobility disabilities, the Rick Hansen Foundation Ambassadors create connection and challenge stereotypes. These engaging individuals interact with your students through the use of video conferencing technology
All presentation costs are covered thanks to the support of the RHF School Program Co-Presenting Partners and generous supporters.
Truths of Institutionalization: Past and Present (Online Modules & Workshop
Truths of Institutionalization is a series of online modules that allows people of all ages to explore the history of institutions, places where people with disabilities were sent to live. The modules include historical evidence, survivor stories, and insights from families. The goal of this project is to raise awareness about institutions, the role they played in Canadian history, and the consequences of segregation that continue to affect people with intellectual disabilities in Canada today. This project will also encourage young Canadians to develop their advocacy skills and recognize their role in building a more inclusive future.
This curriculum comes with teacher and student guidebooks that can be used alongside the online modules. It has been formatted to be easily incorporated into course curriculum.
CLO also offers a Truths of Institutionalization workshop (virtual or in-person) for youth ages 15+. The content can be adapted based on current program learnings as outlined by the teacher. The workshops are also great training opportunities for faculty and students to learn how to foster inclusivity in their classrooms.
If you are interested in booking a workshop or learning how to incorporate the curriculum into your program or course, please contact Leshona Lennard (llennard@communitylivingontario.ca) and Payal Khazanchi (pkhazanchi@communitylivingontario.ca). Please provide information about your program and potential workshop dates.
To view the online modules and guidebooks, please visit our website: https://truthsofinstitutionalization.ca/
Recommended Resources
Featured Equity Resources
The Equity Resource List is a cumulative and constantly growing library of timely, relevant and varied resources to support student or our own learning and unlearning. Each week, we will share one or more recommended resource from this list. If you have suggestions for resources (books, articles, online learning materials, podcasts, social media accounts or other) to include in the resource list and/or for feature in the newsletter, please share them with Laura Conboy.
This week's featured Equity resource is from the School Mental Health Ontario website. Click the link below to learn how school boards can engage in practices to centre Black, Indigenous and marginalized perspectives so every student can access learning environments, curricula and services that are affirming, supportive and meaningful.
Literacy Highlight of the Week
Check out this week's Literacy Highlight. Click on the image to access embedded links.
Featured SEL Resource
Click on the poster to hear an audio version. Click here for Elementary, Secondary, accompanying audio files and Lower Language SEL posters.
Street Data - Voices from the Margins
Quote of the Week
Each week, we will share a quote or story from students or families. As you know, data is about much more than the numbers. Take a minute to reflect on this thought. It was one of the 3569 ideas that was shared through the Special Education Review last spring.
What might be some implications in your work with students, staff, schools and families?
Information and Reminders
A Request From Our Caretaking Team re: Portable Heaters
Our caretaking team is requesting that no longer use portable heaters in our work spaces. Using them does not allow the Building Automated System to function as it is designed. The thermostats will detect the portable heater temperature and not call for the rads to run. As the team continues to learn about and trouble shoot the new heat system, your support and patience is appreciated.
If you encounter any of the following or other problems in your space, please let Mike, Nicola or the office team know:
- whistling or clicking rads
- the sound of water running through rads
- insufficient or too much heat
Monthly Staff Meetings
Click here or the photo below to review the slides from our December staff meeting. The Shelley Moore (Seed Packet IEP) and CADDAC (Self Regulation, Emotional Regulation and Anxiety) are also featured
Mark your calendars for the following dates:
January 23rd
February 20th
March 19th
April 16th
May 21st
June 18th
Phone Extensions
Click the file below to see a list of Educational Staff phone extensions. The number 90 precedes the 3 digit former extension numbers. If your extension is missing from the list or if you have other questions, please reach out to Mike or Nicola.
The Social Committee is Looking for New Members!
Interested in joining the social committee? Reach out Mike, Jessica, Nancy, Jocelyn, or Shona to let us know! New members are always welcome.
Inclement Weather
It's that time of year again. Please review the Inclement Weather Protocol for procedures when buses are cancelled.
Please review the full protocol posted below and connect with your supervisor if you have any questions.